Audio Production- MSc/PGDip

IN BRIEF:

• Study at our state-of-the-art MediaCityUK campus
• Enjoy excellent job prospects in a growing field
• Tap into the expertise of world-class audio-engineering and acoustics researchers
• Part-time study option
• Based at MediaCityUK
• International students can apply

COURSE SUMMARY

On this course, you’ll gain practical, theoretical and creative experience of sound engineering, music production and audio technology.

You’ll explore the design, manipulation and production of audio across many platforms, using our state-of-the-art audio-post recording, radio and TV studios to study a mix of sound engineering and theory modules.

The aim of the course is to develop the skills that you’ll need to create and deliver professional audio, whilst under pinning these skills with a sound theoretical background.

94% of our postgraduates go on to employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.DLHE 2009 and 2010

COURSE DETAILS

This course entails both practical based and theory modules. The modules are delivered in the recording studios, the audio technology suite, audio post production suite and lecture theatres.

DURATION

September start

MSc (one year full-time or up to three years part-time)

PgDip (nine months full-time or 18 months part-time)

January start

MSc (16 months full-time)

PgDip (one year full-time or up to two years part-time)

TEACHING

Teaching and learning involves a mix of lectures and practical sound engineering work, involving individual and group learning, There is an emphasis on motivated students' self-study.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment involves a mixture of practical work, report writing and project work. By the end of the course students will have built up a substantial portfolio of audio, video and new media work.

Assessment is approximately divided across the course as follows:

• Practical work (30%)
• Report/Assignment (35%)
• Presentation (5%)
• Dissertation - that may entail practical elements (30%)

FACILITIES

This degree is based in MediaCityUK,the new home for the BBC, ITV, Coronation Street and parts of the University of Salford. MediaCityUK is located at Salford Quays on the banks of Manchester's historic ship canal. The University has the first four floors of a new, purpose built facility that looks over the water to The Lowry theatre, Imperial War Museum North and the new Coronation Street set. ITV occupy the floors above us, with the three BBC buildings on one side of us and Peel Media Studios on the other.

A number of BBC departments are based at MediaCityUK, having moved from London, including BBC Breakfast, BBC Children's, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Future Media and Technology, BBC Learning, BBC Sport and BBC Academy. All of the BBC Manchester operations have also moved to MediaCityUK, including BBC Religion and Ethics, Current Affairs and the BBC Philharmonic.

For more information, check out the Salford MediaCityUK site and the main MediaCityUK site.

Here is a summary of our relevant facilities at MediaCityUK:

• Audio Post Production and Audio Suite - Mac-based suites that run a range of audio software, including Pro Tools, Reason, Cubase and Reaktor. The Post Production suite has a Digidesign Icon D-command desk running Pro Tools.
• TV Studios - full professional specification studios. Studio A has separate vision and audio control rooms. Studio B allows for a full 3D virtual studio.
• Radio Studios - two radio studios, including a small studio space.
• Computer Suites - a range of Mac and PC based computer rooms for general computer work.

On the main campus, we also have a Pro Tools equipped studio recording complex consisting of four control rooms and recording areas. Please see this brochure for more detailed information brochure.

EMPLOYABILITY

The wide range of skills provided on this course will enhance your employability. Possible career paths include: audio manufacturer research and design, broadcast engineer in audio for radio or TV, audio and visual design and installation, education, interactive media and sonic arts.

Possible career paths include:

• Audio manufacturer research and design
• Broadcast engineer in audio for radio or TV
• Recording studio, live sound engineer, music production
• Music technology retail
• Theatre or film audio engineer
• Musical instrument technology
• Audio and visual design and installation
• Education
• Interactive Media
• Sonic arts

LINKS WITH INDUSTRY

Staff have strong links with industry either through collaborative R&D projects with industry through the Acoustics Research Centre and our commercial test laboratories.  Our research department is a Centre of Excellence for BBC Research.

FURTHER STUDY

Some students could go on to study a PhD at our world-class Acoustics Research Centre. We have been carrying out acoustics and audio research for over 30 years. Our research is funded by research councils, government bodies, and industry. It has fed into audio products that companies make and sell worldwide, as well as regulations and standards used in the UK, Europe and beyond. We are also involved in public engagement - getting more people aware of and interested in acoustic science and engineering.

Visit the Audio Production- MSc/PGDip page on the University of Salford website for more details!